Governor Quinn Issues Chicago Casino Lifeline
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has now vetoed two casino expansion bills over the past two years, and gambling supporters in the state are growing weary that expansion will ever take place under Quinn’s watch. On Thursday, Quinn threw a lifeline to the gaming community.
“When I vetoed legislation before, it did not have dedicated earmarked money for education,” said Quinn, speaking at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago. “I think that’s absolutely required, imperative, if we’re going to this. I feel if that’s addressed, that certainly will go a long way toward getting the job done.”
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was disappointed last month when Quinn vetoed the latest attempt to expand gambling in Illinois. Emanuel has been lobbying for a new land-based casino resort in Chicago, and had his hopes set on the bill passing this year.
Emanuel has tied the tax revenue that would be created by a new casino to improving the transit system, road repair, and education. Without the gaming funds, Emanuel knows getting projects completed in the Windy City will be a near-impossible task considering the current financial situation of the city.
Lawmakers have passed legislation in each of the past two years, only to have Quinn veto the bills. After the first veto, legislators pressed Quinn to outline the changes necessary to pass a gambling expansion bill. After months of waiting, the governor eventually gave some broad guidelines. Despite vetoing past gaming bills, Quinn sees an opportunity that the issue will eventually be resolved.
“I really feel we will address this issue and hopefully resolve it by the 9th of January, which is the deadline for this session of the General Assembly. “said Quinn Thursday evening. “I’m very hopeful of that.”
The bill that was vetoed last year included slot machine allowances for Chicago casinos, along with several new gaming facilities throughout Illinois. In the bill vetoed last month, the slots at the airports were stripped out, but that was not enough to have the governor sign the legislation into law.
